Seminar planned on impact of trauma on students

SOUTH COATESVILLE — As a result of the recommendations from the state NAACP report for the Coatesville Area School District, school district teachers and administrators, as well as community members can learn about how trauma can impact students’ learning and behavior through a free workshop.

Coatesville area NAACP and OneVoice for Coatesville Area School District are partnering to host a free workshop on the impact of trauma on school performance on May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Greater Deliverance Church.

“It is important for those that educate students in the schools to know how to identify and approach a trauma impacted child with an appropriate level of care and understanding,” Tonya Thames-Taylor, president of the Coatesville area NAACP said in a prepared statement.

The state NAACP released a report following six months of research following last fall’s texting scandal that resulted in the resignation of two school district administrators for inappropriate comments about students and staff. The report called for more community involvement and also wanted teachers and students properly educated on the effects of trauma.

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The workshop will show educators and student advocates how trauma can negatively impact a student’s educational performance and help them understand ways those issues can be addressed by showing “nonclinical best practices” proven successful for addressing these situations.

According to a news release about the event, the Trauma Workshop Team is a group of concerned parents, educators and clinicians formally a part of the Chester County Coalition for Public Schools.

The jointly-sponsored event is bringing the group to Coatesville where they make a presentation focusing on how individuals can understand the signs of how trauma can impact students’ learning and behavior.

“One Voice is a group of concerned members of the Coatesville community dedicated to empowering all students, parents and educators,” Dr. Monica McHale-Small said in a prepared statement on behalf of OneVoice for CASD. “OneVoice is honored to partner with the Coatesville NAACP to bring information to our community that will allow our educators, parents and advocates to better understand and support our students.”

The workshop is free and open to all members of the public. It will be held on May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Greater Deliverance Church in Coatesville. A continental breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. for those who are registered.

Those wishing to participate in the workshop can register by visiting http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3L9J58X, or call OneVoice CASD at (610) 384-0137.

Greater Deliverance Church is located at 800 South First Avenue, South Coatesville.

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